Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський@ZelenskyyUa
In the past few days, we have received signals from the American side that talks may resume soon. But with what mindset will the Russian side come to the talks this time?
It depends on all of us together to make sure the Russians do not come to these talks feeling that their position has grown much stronger. And it is not only because of the situation around Iran, which is pushing global oil prices higher.
First, Russians see active use of air defense missiles in the Middle East and the Gulf region, and they may think Ukraine will face a shortage of such missiles.
Second, the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia is stalled. It could have continued the pressure on Russia to move toward real peace.
Third, the United States has eased some sanctions on Russia, and this brings significant money into Putin’s war budget.
Next, for the third month now, the most important financial security guarantee for Ukraine from Europe is not working – the 90-billion-euro support package for this year and the next. This is critical for us. It is a resource to protect lives.
And the fifth point, even today, we do not know for sure whether this support will be unblocked.
From an address to the European Council meeting (1/3).
